Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (2024)

Home » Dinner Recipes » Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

12 Comments By Jesseca on

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This easy Zuppa Toscana recipe tastes exactly like Olive Garden’s most popular soup. Made in one-pot with crumbled sausage, crispy bacon, and potatoes that are all simmered in a creamy broth. This is our favorite Olive Garden copycat recipe!

This delicious soup recipe was originally published December 17, 2013. It has since been updated to include helpful tips and fresh photos.

Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (1)

Recipe Features:

  • Copycat Recipe: This Olive Garden Copycat Recipe tastes exactly like the original, if not better!
  • Ultimate Comfort Food: Warm soup that is filled with sausage, potatoes, and cream- The ultimate comfort dinner or appetizer.
  • Easy Substitutions: I use Italian sausage, but you could substitute with your favorite variety. Half and half can be swapped with cream and kale can be left out or replaced with fresh spinach.

While everyone else goes to Olive Garden for the pasta… I am over there stuffing my face with breadsticks and soup. THIS version of their sausage and kale soup is amazing. It has got a great light consistency and the kale is cooked to perfection. Nothing warms your belly on a cold night better! It is delicious served with fresh rolls or bread sticks. I should note, we like to use spicy sausage but it is just as yummy with regular.

What is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa soup translates to “Tuscan Soup,” but it is not traditionally Tuscan. It’s more of an american fan favorite made popular by the restaurant Olive Garden. Made with with sausage, potatoes, garlic, and kale in a creamy broth. It’s belly warming and full of flavor with minimal cooking effort. A win for cold winter nights or when you’re searching for a quick and filling dinner.

Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (2)

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Ingredients

  • Sausage: I reach for mild Italian sausage. We add red pepper flakes to the soup which gives it a slight kick. If you like a more spicy soup try a spicy sausage.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is always the best.
  • Chicken Broth: I keep Low Sodium Better Than Bouillon (affiliate) on hand. It has a lower salt level which gives me more control when seasoning.
  • Potatoes: Waxy potatoes tend to hold up better in soups. I like to use Yukon Gold, which fall right around the middle as far as waxy potatoes go.
  • Bacon: This one is optional, but such a delicious addition.
  • Kale: No kale? No problem. You can leave it out or replace with spinach.
  • Half and Half: I have also used cream in place of half and half with success.
Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (3)

How to make the BEST Copycat Zuppa Toscana

  1. Gather your ingredients and prepare your cooking area. I find it is easiest to do all of your measuring and chopping beforehand.
  2. Brown sausage in a large pot with the onion and bacon, I like to use my 5.5 quart Dutch oven (affiliate). It’s large enough to fit all of the ingredients and super simple to clean later.
  3. Stir in red pepper flakes, garlic, chicken broth, water, and potatoes. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the potatoes start to soften.
  5. Stir in kale and half and half. Cook 10 more minutes.
Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (4)

Recipe Tips and FAQ’s:

Can you freeze this soup?

Yes. You can freeze this soup recipe for up to 3 to 6 months. However, the potatoes tend to break down once frozen and reheated. You will end with a slightly thicker soup thanks to the breakdown of starches with the same great flavor. In addition, it is also better to hold off on adding the kale and half and half until you reheat the frozen soup.

How long does this recipe last?

This easy soup recipe will last 3 to 4 days if stored properly in the refrigerator. I suggest investing in a high quality airtight container. (affiliate)

How to make zuppa toscana thicker?

While traditionally served more brothy, it is incredibly simple to thicken this soup for a more hearty dish. Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of the warm broth. Add to the soup and stir well. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes as it thickens.

Is Zuppa Toscana Healthy?

This recipe is gluten free and grain free. When served with a side salad it can be a good way to fill your belly with more vegetables.
You can also make this keto-friendly by substituting cauliflower in place of the potatoes.

Can you make this zuppa toscana in a slow cooker?

Yes. Start by cooking the sausage, bacon and onion in a large skillet. Transfer to your slow cooker. Add the garlic, potatoes, broth, and water. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Add the kale and cream 1 hour before serving.

Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (5)
  • Copycat Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup
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  • Lasagna Soup
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  • Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup

More Copycat Recipes

  • Buffalo Wild Wings Asian Zing Sauce
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  • Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso
  • Sizzler Malibu Chicken Recipe
  • Homemade Wendy’s Frosty

Still hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite onFacebook,InstagramandPinterestfor more great recipe ideas!

4.80 from 5 votes

Zuppa Toscana Recipe

Created by: Jesseca


Course Soups

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

6 servings

This easy Zuppa Toscana recipe tastes exactly like Olive Garden’s most popular soup. Made in one-pot with crumbled sausage, crispy bacon, and potatoes that are all simmered in a creamy broth. This is our favorite Olive Garden copycat recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 4 strips of bacon diced
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper optional
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 ( 14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
  • cups water
  • 3 large potatoes washed but not peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups kale thinly sliced
  • 1 cup half and half

Instructions

  • Heat a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat.

  • Add the sausage, bacon, onion and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook and crumble for 5 to 8 minutes or until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft and translucent.

  • Stir the minced garlic into the meat mixture and cook one additional minute.

  • Pour the broth, water, and potato cubes into the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes begin to soften.

  • Mix in the chopped kale and half and half. Cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the kale is soft and the soup is heated through.

Notes

  • I like to use a 5.5 quart dutch oven for this recipe.
  • Substitute the 1/2 and 1/2 for heavy cream for a more hearty soup.
  • Top the soup with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
  • This soup can be a little greasy. If you let the soup cool for a few minutes the grease will move to the top. You can spoon it off.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Servings | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1107mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g

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Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (10)

Reader Interactions

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    Leave a Review!

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Laura says

    Love your site! I have made several recipes and all were great!

    Reply

    • Jesseca says

      Hi Laura, That makes me SO happy to hear! You’ll have to let me know if you have any recipe requests!

      Reply

  2. Sheila Hynes says

    Just wanted to let you know, we have frozen this recipe a couple of times now and if you allow it to thaw on it’s own, it comes back together very nicely with just a little bit of milk. Thank you so much for such a great recipe.

    Reply

    • Jesseca says

      Good to know! We are making it this week since it’s so chilly here in Utah and I was thinking about freezing half.

      Reply

  3. Lexia says

    It is still very cold here in Chicago and this soup turned out fantastic! I put too much pepper flakes but will go easy on ’em next time. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

  4. Becky @ Project Domestication says

    I love this OG recipe. Can’t wait to make it at home.

    Reply

  5. Jessica @ Pretty Providence says

    Mmmm! Looks so perfect for the cold weather! YUM! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  6. Debra says

    I am in LOVE with Zuppa Tuoscana! Yum!

    Reply

  7. Aimee @like mother like daughter says

    Mmmm this looks so good. I can’t wait to try making it at home. And I love your little bowl. Where did you get it?

    Reply

    • Jesseca says

      It’s one of my thrift store treasures. There are a few dings, but it’s so pretty I can’t toss it!

      Reply

  8. Yvonne @ TriedandTasty says

    I love Zuppa Toscana! It’s so delicious!

    Reply

  9. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says

    I love to make this at home! So good!

    Reply

Better Than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - One Sweet Appetite (2024)

FAQs

How much sugar is in Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup? ›

Amount/Serving%DV*Amount/Serving
Trans Fat 0gSugars 1.1g
Cholesterol 21.4mg7%Protein 7.1g
Sodium 607.5mg41%
Vitamin A - IU 19% Vitamin C 9% Calcium 5% Iron 1% Fat 22% Saturated Fat 21%
2 more rows
Sep 16, 2020

Is there gluten in Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup? ›

Minestrone (V) - Fresh vegetables, beans and pasta in a light tomato broth - a vegan classic. Zuppa Toscana - Spicy Italian sausage, fresh kale and russet potatoes in a creamy broth. Made with gluten-free ingredients.

How many calories are in Tuscan soup? ›

The serving size is huge and filling with hearty potatoes, spicy sausage, spinach, bacon and a creamy broth. You'll never believe it's only 236 calories or 7 WW Points! To view your current WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, click here!

What is the healthiest soup at Olive Garden? ›

Minestrone Soup

Another signature item at Olive Garden is a bowl of their soup. You can choose from options like Zuppa Toscana, Chicken and Gnocchi, and Pasta fa*gioli, but Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN suggests the Minestrone if you want something on the healthier side.

Is Olive Garden healthy for you? ›

Healthier menu choices at Olive Garden. Olive Garden's healthiest meals come from their Lighter Italian Fare menu. Olive Garden claims that their Lighter Italian Fare menu items are inspired by Italy's Mediterranean Coast where the diet is primarily vegetables, whole grains, herbs and spices, and olive oil.

Is Olive Garden soup made from scratch? ›

It wouldn't be unreasonable to guess that Olive Garden, the massive Italian-American restaurant chain with over 900 locations, follows a similar process. But by most accounts, the majority of items on Olive Garden's menu are made in-house, from scratch, on a daily basis — including its signature soups.

Why is it called Zuppa Toscana? ›

Zuppa Toscana is Italian and literally translates to Tuscan Soup. In Italy it's more specifically called Minestra di Pane, which means Bread Soup. The classic version is filled with cannellini beans, kale, zucchini, some chile powder, Italian bacon (called rigatino), tomatoes or tomato pulp, and Tuscan bread.

Does Olive Garden put MSG in their soup? ›

Our food recipes do not use added MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) and, based on information from our suppliers, MSG is not added to any of the ingredients we use. However, certain foods and ingredients naturally contain glutamate or glutamic acid (such as tomatoes, milk, cheese, mushrooms and certain yeasts and proteins).

What oil does Olive Garden use? ›

We use highly refined canola oil or highly refined soy oil in our fryers. Based on information from our suppliers, these oils are highly refined and do not include any soy protein.

Does Zuppa Toscana have dairy at Olive Garden? ›

Spicy sausage, potatoes, greens and bacon in flavor-packed broth.

How many calories in a cup of Olive Garden zuppa Toscana soup? ›

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana (1 serving) contains 15g total carbs, 13g net carbs, 15g fat, 7g protein, and 220 calories.

How many calories are in one breadstick from Olive Garden? ›

Olive Garden Breadstick (1 serving) contains 25g total carbs, 24g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 4g protein, and 140 calories.

Does soup broth have calories? ›

Broth contains about half the calories per cup (237 ml) that stock does. One cup of chicken broth provides 38 calories, while one cup of stock contains 86 calories. Stock contains slightly more carbs, fat and protein than broth, though it's also significantly higher in vitamins and minerals.

How much sugar is in Olive Garden Alfredo sauce? ›

Nutrition Facts
Calories 440(1841 kJ)
Sodium600 mg25%
Total Carbohydrate5 g2%
Dietary Fiber0 g0%
Sugars1 g
7 more rows

Does Olive Garden dressing have sugar? ›

Ingredients. Water, Soybean Oil, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Eggs, Romano Cheese (Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Dehydrated Garlic, Spice, Xanthan Gum, Dextrose, Annatto Color, Calcium Disodium EDTA Added to Protect Flavor, Natural Flavor.

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